KEEN gardeners John and Hilary Malam have come up with a way to raise funds for St Luke’s Hospice and encourage people to grow their own vegetables.

John, from Winsford, said: “We’ve grown a small forest of tomato plants and we’d like to give them away to members of the community for them to grow at home.

"All we’re asking is that people make a donation to St Luke’s in return for taking some of the plants.”

John and Hilary are holding a plant sale at their home, 4 Woodlark Close, Winsford CW7 3HL (off Rookery Rise, Wharton) from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, May 16.

Hilary added: “St Luke’s is close to our hearts. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer and I was fortunate enough to have complementary therapies at St Luke’s to aid my recovery.

Northwich Guardian:

Hilary Malam, diagnosed with breast cancer last year, had complementary therapies at St Luke's to help her recovery

"For a long time I thought St Luke’s was only for end of life care but it offers so much more.”

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The couple usually grow plants for the Over Allotments plant sale in May.

“The sale has been cancelled this year due to the current crisis but that hasn’t stopped us from growing several hundred tomato plants," said John, vice chairman of Over Allotments Association.

“The plants will be available to collect from our front garden. Obviously social distancing and lockdown rules will apply.

"Please keep two metres apart, only one person at the plant table at a time and please walk here. It’s good exercise and, as we are in a cul-de-sac, there’s no room for cars and we don’t encourage people to use their cars just to get these plants."

People are asked to bring a bag or box to put the plants in and a collection bucket will be available for donations to St Luke's.